Standalone Posters

Standalone poster prototyping is a beneficial activity for teams who need to distil an initial idea into a clear and concise concept for prototyping using a visual format.

This activity asks teams to create a compelling visual representation of their project or concept that makes sense without any verbal description. The process enables teams to identify gaps in their thinking, which can help them to refine and iterate their designs.

1. Set up the task: Share the task and objectives. Ask the teams to create an A1 (flipchart) sized poster that stands alone to describe their idea, why it is valid and how it will work. Explain that the visual needs to stand alone without verbal description and make sense to an audience with no prior knowledge of the issue.
2. Share the details: Prompt them to give their concept a name, explain what it is, who it is for, how it works, the problem it solves, assumptions to check, and steps to launch. Encourage the use of visuals, including diagrams, timelines, maps or sketches, to bring their concept to life. 
3. Gallery Walk: Once completed, have groups post their concepts on a wall to form a concept gallery. Invite the larger group to individually and silently review each idea poster.
4. Naive Explain: Ask for a volunteer to present a poster (that they didn’t create) to the rest of the group. Explain that they will have just two minutes to bring the concept alive based on what they can glean from the poster. Once their time is up, you’ll check in with the poster’s creator team to clarify any points.
5. Comments and Questions: Invite the larger group to capture their comments and questions regarding the concept on individual sticky notes. Have them use the “Like, Wish, Wonder” format. This is a crucial part of the process as it helps teams to identify areas where they can refine and iterate their designs.

In conclusion, standalone poster prototyping is a powerful activity for teams looking to brainstorm and design a visual representation of their ideas. By following this step-by-step process, teams can work collaboratively, refine their designs, and create a clear and concise visual representation of their project or concept.

To find out more about how to up skill your leaders in leading collaborative design or for support with your next codesign project, reach out to us via info@soji.com.au.